Carmella Sannarelli is a people pleaser. She can’t say no to anyone, even when it means putting off her own personal goals in the process. So, when her best friend, Sadie Miller, calls with the announcement that she’s broken up with one fiancé and eloping with another in St. Croix, Carmella can’t stop herself from dropping everything and accepting the invitation to stand as maid of honor.

Jilted fiancé Ryan Wutkowski has been the third member of the Carmella-Sadie trio for nine years. He fully supports Sadie’s new engagement and upcoming nuptials, knowing it’s the right decision and best for both of them. But when he boards a plane to San Juan for a business conference, Carmella is the last person he expects to find occupying the seat next to his.

Two days in San Juan, then a week in St. Croix–Carmella knows her two best friends are hiding something. But can she figure out what went wrong between them as she battles her own tingly, off-kilter feelings toward Ryan, while dodging advances from a womanizing best man, and confirming for herself that Sadie did make the right decision? When Ryan unexpectedly shows up at the rehearsal dinner and gets himself invited to the wedding, will Carmella finally uncover the secret he’s held since the day they first met?

Carmella doesn’t know her friends as well as she thought.

It was very easy for me to like Carmella. While she is certainly smart and clearly a loyal friend, I also admire Carmella’s quiet strength. She isn’t easily swayed by people and events around her. She’s clear headed enough to wait out the chaos and see to the heart of the matter. When she finds out that Sadie and Ryan have broken up, and Sadie is now marrying someone else, Carmella is understandably worried. However, rather than rushing to take sides by doing or saying something rash, she patiently listens to both sides of the story and tries to be as supportive as she can to both of her friends. Unfortunately, the truth behind Sadie and Ryan’s breakup might be more than Carmella can handle.

Carmella hasn’t had a lot of romance in her life. However, Carmella doesn’t obsess over this. Instead, she seems to be content to wait until she meets the right person. When Ryan and Carmella run into each other in San Juan, the sparks of attraction between them are subtle, but clearly there. Carmella is understandably confused by her feelings, and Ryan’s interest in her. After all, she’s known Ryan for years, and he and Sadie were together for most of that time. Carmella can’t deny her changing feelings for Ryan, but she doesn’t want to lose either of her best friends. On top of all that, Carmella is certain that her friends are hiding something from her. The secret they’ve kept might just cost them Carmella’s friendship. I eagerly anticipated discovering how such an unusual situation would be resolved.

I must say that Sadie and Ryan’s relationship didn’t make much sense to me. While it is clear that they care for each other, their feelings are not remotely romantic, or haven’t been for a long time. I have a hard time understanding why they would stay together for so long when neither of them was happy in their relationship. When I learned about how they started dating, their relationship made even less sense and was a little hard to swallow. Despite this issue, I really enjoyed how the story ended. I can’t say much without spoiling the story, but I will say that Carmella, Ryan, and Sadie all find their way to happy and very satisfying endings.

I really enjoyed reading Better Than Chocolate. I recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet romance that is fun and refreshing.

The Last Prejudice

White Water

The Atomic City Girls

Heaven’s Watcher

My Favorite Mistake

Taking Desire

Needing Desire

Running Hot

Frost Moon

Blue Light Special

Review Star Rating Definitions

1 Star – We currently do not review any story with a 1 star rating. If it’s DNF or a “wall-banger” we decline to review.

2 Stars — Not wonderful, but tolerable. There may be some minor editing glitches but not enough to stop you reading. Not a wall-banger, but nothing you’d re-read. This is a book you would borrow from the library – not buy- and never check out again. You might recommend it to a friend with a mention of the glitches, knowing that something in the plot or story would still appeal to them regardless.

3 Stars — Good. Mostly enjoyable. You made it through and didn’t consider it a waste of time or money. The story was strong enough or the conflict tight enough, so even when the book faltered, it was able to draw you back in and keep you. There’s a chance you’ll recommend it to a friend, but it wouldn’t go on your keeper shelf.

4 Stars — Very Good. You’re glad you were the one who got to review the book. You would probably buy it and would definitely recommend it to your friends. You liked the characters and the plot. The writing style was good and the editing clean.

5 Stars — Great! You would definitely buy this book. You would definitely recommend it to your friends. You really loved the characters and the plot and would consider looking for this authors back list or making her an autobuy. The writing and editing were superb.

LASR Best Book – For a book or story that is truly exceptional. You think about it when you’re not reading it. You wonder what happens to the characters when you finish. You would absolutely buy everything else this author had to offer. The highest praise – and reserved for only a few.

Review Heat Level Descriptions

SWEET: no visual love scenes and no descriptive kissing;

SENSUAL: Contains a high degree of sexual tension, steamy kisses and passionate clinches, but all fully consummated love scenes will be implied, not described, and with the bedroom door firmly closed.

SPICY: Contains actual love scenes and may include detailed descriptions of foreplay and consummation.

HOT: Contains sizzling and very detailed love scenes throughout and graphic, explicit content which may be offensive to some.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 6,635 other subscribers

Email Address

Get our posts in your reader!

FTC Disclaimer:

Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. On occasion, we review books we have purchased with our own money or borrowed from a public library. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.